Laundry machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to steam dryers, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a steam dryer for removing creases or crumples from, or preventing the same from forming on, clothes. The steam dryer includes a drum ( 20 ) to be selectively rotatable; a steam generator ( 200 ) to generate steam to be supplied to the drum ( 20 ); a water container ( 300 ) to contain water to be supplied to the steam generator ( 200 ); an indicator to indicate a level of the water in the water container ( 300 ) thereby removing creases from clothes effectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to laundry machines. More specifically,the present invention relates to a laundry machine for removing creasesor crumples from, or preventing the same from forming on, clothes.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, in the laundry machines, there are machines for washing,drying, or clothes. In the refreshing of the clothes, moisture, creases,crumples, static electricity, or odor is removed from the clothes, oraroma is added to the clothes.

In the laundry machines, there are washing machines and dryers, whereinthe dryer is in general a home appliance for drying washed laundry,mostly clothes, with hot air. In general, the dryer is provided with adrum for holding a drying object, a driving source for driving the drum,heating means for heating the air introduced to the drum, and a blowerunit for drawing or discharging the air from/to the drum.

Depending on means for heating the air, i.e., the heating means, therecan be electric type dryers and gas type dryers. The electric dryer heatthe air with electric resistance heat, and the gas type dryer heats theair with heat from burning the gas. The dryers may be sorted in anotherway, i.e., condensing type dryers, and exhaust type dryer. Thecondensing type dryer does not discharge the humid air heat exchangedwith the drying object in the drum to an outside of the dryer, butcirculates the humid air in the dryer, and makes the humid air to heatexchange with external air at a condenser provided separately todischarge condensed water formed thus to the outside of the dryer. Theexhaust type dryer discharges the humid air heat exchanged with thedrying object in the drum to the outside of the dryer directly.Depending on a type for introducing the laundry to the dryer, the dryermay be sorted top loading type dryers and front loading type dryers. Inthe top loading type dryers, the drying object is introduced to a topside of the dryer, and in the front loading type dryers, the dryingobject is introduced to a front of the dryer.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the related art laundry machine has the following problems.

In general, the dryer dries washed and water extracted laundryintroduced thereto. However, in view of a principle of water washing,creases are formed on the washed laundry, and the creases formed thuscan not be removed perfectly in the drying process. Consequently, inorder to remove the creases from the drying object, such as laundrydried in the related art dryer, additional pressing is required.

Moreover, besides the washed laundry, in a case of conventional storage,and use of clothes, creases, crumples, folds and so on (will be calledas creases collectively) take place. Development of an appliance foreasy removal of such creases caused by conventional storage and use ofclothes has been required.

Technical Solution

To solve the problem, an object of the present invention is to provide alaundry machine which can prevent crease from forming on clothes, and/orremoving the crease from the clothes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machinewhich enables a user to make easy notice of a water level of water heldin a water container during water supply or operation of the laundrymachine.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, alaundry machine comprises a drum to be selectively rotatable; a steamgenerator to generate steam to be supplied to the drum; a watercontainer to contain water to be supplied to the steam generator; and anindicator to indicate a level of the water in the water container.

The indicator includes a transparent part of the water container so thatthe water level is seen through the transparent part or a sensor tosense the water level or the water container includes a supply holethrough which water is supplied, and the indicator includes a closingmember to close the supply hole when the water in the water containerreaches a predetermined water level.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The present invention has following advantageous effects.

First, the washing machine of the present invention prevents crumples orcreases from forming on, or removes the same from a drying objecteffectively, and sterilizes the drying object or remove odor from thedrying object.

Second, the washing machine of the present invention can remove crumplesor creases from dried clothes without separate pressing effectively.

Third, the washing machine of the present invention permits, not onlyeasy supply of water to the waster holding unit, but also easy cleaningof the water container. Moreover, the washing machine of the presentinvention permits easy notice of the water level held in the watercontainer during water supply or operation of the washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of thedisclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a steam dryer inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal section of the steam dryer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the steam generator in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system diagram focused on the steam generator;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment ofthe water container in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 each illustrates a perspective view of a second embodimentof the water container in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 8 to 10 each illustrates a diagram of a third embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 11 and 12 each illustrates a diagram of a fourth embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a fifth embodiment of the watercontainer in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 14 and 15 each illustrates a diagram of a sixth embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram of a seventh embodiment of the watercontainer in FIG. 4.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In order to describe a laundry machine of the present invention, a steamdryer will be described as an embodiment of the present invention.However, the present invention is applicable to, for an example, awashing machine with steam.

Moreover, in order to described the steam dryer which is an embodimentof the present invention, a top loading, electric, condensing type steamdryer will be described as one embodiment in view of convenience ofdescription. However, the present invention is not limited to this, butis applicable to a front loading, gas, condensing type steam dryer, too.

The steam dryer of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Inside of a cabinet 10 which forms an exterior of the steam dryer, thereare a rotatable drum 20, a motor 70 and a belt 68 for driving the drum20. Mounted at a predetermined location of the cabinet 10, there are aheater 90 (will be called as hot air heater) for heating air to producehigh temperature air (will be called as hot air), and a hot air supplyduct 44 for supplying the hot air from the hot air heater 90 to the drum20. And, an exhaust duct 80 for discharging humid air heat exchangedwith the clothes at the drum 20 and a blower unit 60 for drawing in thehumid air are also mounted. In the meantime, mounted at a predeterminedlocation of the cabinet 10, there is a steam generator 200 forgenerating hot steam. For convenience sake, though the embodiment showsand describes based on an indirect drive type in which the drum 20 isrotated by using the motor 70 and the belt 68, the present invention isnot limited to this. That is, the present invention is also applicableto a direct drive type in which the drum 20 is rotated directly by amotor directly connected to a rear of the drum 20.

Respective elements of the dryer will be described in detail.

The cabinet 10 which forms an exterior of the steam dryer includes abase 12 which forms a bottom of the steam dryer, one pair of side covers14 mounted to the base 12 vertically, a front cover 16 and a rear cover18 mounted to a front and a rear of the side covers 14 respectively, anda top cover 17 located on top of the side covers 4. A control panel 19with various operation switches is located on the top cover 17 or thefront cover 16 conventionally, and a door 164 is mounted to the frontcover 16. The rear cover 18 has an inlet 182 for introduction ofexternal air, and an exhaust hole 184 which is a final passage fordischarging the air from the drum 20 to an outside of the steam dryer.

An inside space of the drum 20 serves as a drying chamber for drying theclothes, and, it is preferable that lifts 22 are provided to an insideof the drum 20 for lifting and dropping clothes, to turn the clothesupside down for enhancing drying efficiency.

In the meantime, mounted between the drum 20 and the cabinet 10 (thefront cover 16 and the rear cover 18), there are a front supporter 30and a rear supporter 40. Rotatably mounted between the front supporter30 and the rear supporter 40, there is the drum 20, and mounted betweenthe front supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 and the drum 20, thereare sealing members (not shown) for preventing leakage. That is, thefront supporter 30 and the rear supporter 40 cover the front and rear ofthe drum 20 to form the drying chamber, and support the front and rearof the drum 20, respectively.

The front supporter 30 has an opening to make the drum 20 to be incommunication with an outside of the dryer, which is opened/closed withthe door 164 selective. The front supporter 30 also has a lint duct 50connected thereto, which is a passage of the air from the drum 20 to anoutside of the dryer, with a lint filter 52 mounted thereto. The blowerunit 60 has one side connected to the lint duct 50, and the other sideconnected to the exhaust duct 80 which is connected to the exhaust hole184 in the rear cover 18. Accordingly, if the blower unit 60 is inoperation, the air is discharged to an outside of the dryer from thedrum 20 through the lint duct 50, the exhaust duct 80, and the exhausthole 184. In this instance, foreign matters, such as lint, are filteredat the lint filter 52. In general, the blower unit 60 includes a blower62 and a blower housing 64, and, in general, the blower 64 is driven bythe motor 70 which also drives the drum 20.

The rear supporter 40 has an opening portion 42 having, in general, aplurality of pass through holes, with the hot air supply duct 44connected thereto. The hot air supply duct 44 is in communication withthe drum 20 for serving as a passage for supplying the hot air to thedrum 20. Accordingly, the hot air heater 90 is mounted to apredetermined location of the hot air supply duct 44.

In the meantime, mounted to a predetermined location of the cabinet 10,there is the steam generator 200 for generating and supplying steam tothe drum 20. The steam generator 200 will be described in detail withreference to FIG. 3.

Mounted in the steam generator 200, there are a water tank 210 forholding water, a heater 240 mounted to an inside of the water tank 210,a water level sensor 260 for measuring a water level of the steamgenerator 200, and a temperature sensor 270 for measuring a temperatureof the steam generator 200. In general, the water level sensor 260includes a common electrode 262, a low water level electrode 264, and ahigh water level electrode 266 for sensing a high water level or a lowwater level depending on electric conduction between the commonelectrode 262 and the high water level electrode 264 or the commonelectrode 262 and the low water level electrode 266.

The steam generator 200 has one side connected to a water supply hose220 for supplying water, and the other side connected to a steam hose230 for discharging steam, and it is preferable that a predeterminedshape of nozzle 250 is provided to a fore end of the steam hose 230.

In the meantime, though the embodiment shows and describes a steamgenerator 200 (will be called as a tank heating type for conveniencesake) of a type in which a predetermined amount of water held in thewater tank 210 is heated with the heater 240 to generate the steam, thepresent invention is not limited to this. That is, the present inventioncan use any steam generator as far as the device can generate the steam.For an example, a configuration may also be used, in which a heater ismounted around a water supply hose through which water passes forheating the water without holding the water within a space (forconvenience sake, will be called as tubular heating system).

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram focused on a steam generator of the presentinvention.

The water container which supplies water to the steam generator will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. Though the steam generatorillustrated in FIG. 4 is different in shape from the steam generatorillustrated in FIG. 3, the inventive step of the present invention isnothing to do with the shape of the steam generator, the steam generatorin FIG. 4 can be the steam generator in FIG. 3, and the same referencenumerals will be used.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the embodiment, the steam dryer includes a watercontainer 300 for supplying water to the steam generator 200. It ispreferable that the water container 300 is detachable. That is, it isconvenient if the detachable water container 300 is detached insupplying water, and the water container 300 filled with the water isconnected to the water supply flow passage of the steam generator 200,i.e., the water supply hose 220 the same as the embodiment.

It is preferable that there is a pump 400 mounted between the watercontainer 300 and the steam generator 200. As a water outlet (not shown)of the water container 300 is placed in a connection hole 480, the pump400 is connected to the water container 300, and is connected to thesteam generator 200 with the water supply hose 220.

It is more preferable that the pump 400 is reversible, for supplying thewater to the steam generator 200, and if necessary, recovering remainedwater from the steam generator 200. It is also possible that the wateris supplied to the steam generator 200 by using a water head between thewater container 300 and the steam generator 200 without using the pump.However, because, in general, components of the dryer are standard goodsof compact design, there are shortages of structural spaces, absolutely.Therefore, if sizes of the components of the related art dryer are notchanged, the water supply by using the water head is impossible,actually. Accordingly, as use of a small sized pump 400 enables mountingof the steam generator 200 without changing the sizes of the components,use of the pump 400 is very favorable. The remained water is recoveredfrom the steam generator 200 for preventing the heater suffering fromdamage caused by the water if the steam generator 200 is left unused fora long time, and preventing use of rotten water, later.

Though the foregoing embodiment shows water supply to, and steamdischarge from a top side of the steam generator 200, in the embodiment,it is preferable that the water is supplied to an underside of the steamgenerator 200 and the steam is discharged from the top of the steamgenerator 200. This configuration is favorable for recovering theremained water from the steam generator 200.

It is preferable that a safety valve 500 is provided to the steam flowpassage, i.e., the steam hose 230, which discharges steam from the steamgenerator 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment ofthe water container in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the water container 300 includes a lower housing310 for holding water actually, and an upper housing 320 detachable fromthe lower housing 310. The lower housing 310 has a water discharge hole302 at one side of an inside for connection to the connection hole 480.There may be a filter at the water discharge hole 302.

The water container 300 with the lower housing 310 and the upper housing320 enables easy cleaning of fur on an inside of the water container300, and easy dismounting and cleaning of the filter. Preferably, theupper housing 320 is detachable such that one side of the lower housing310 is opened fully. Then, the user can make easier cleaning of theinside of the water container 300.

The water container 300 has a fastening portion 330 for making the upperhousing detachable from the lower housing 310. The fastening portion 330includes an extension 332 from one side of the upper housing 320 havinga hole 333 at a center, and a holder 331 projected from one side of thelower housing 310 for placing in the hole 333. As the user makes theholder 331 to be placed in the hole 333, the upper housing 320 isfastened to the lower housing 320 easily.

It is preferable that the water container 300 further includes a supplyhole 321 in the upper housing 320 for supplying water, and a cover 340for opening/closing the supply hole 321. Then, in a case water issupplied to the lower housing 310, the user can supply water to thesupply hole 321 conveniently after opening the cover 340 withoutdismounting the upper housing 320 from the lower housing 310.

It is preferable that the water container 300 further includes a hingeportion 350 so that the cover 340 is rotatably secured to the upperhousing 320. Then, the user can make easier opening/closing of thesupply hole 321 by rotating the cover 340. The hinge portion 350 mayinclude one pair of hinge shafts 351 projected outwardly from one sideof opposite sides of the cover 340 respectively, and hinge holes 352 inthe upper housing 320 such that the one pair of the hinge shafts 351 arerotatably placed therein.

It is preferable that the steam dryer of the present invention includean indicater for indicating a water level of the water in the lowerhousing 310. Then, the user can notice the water level of the water inthe lower housing 310, to supply an appropriate amount of water to thelower housing 310. In this instance, the appropriate amount is an amountof water that can be filled in the water container 300, i.e., an amountof water that can be received by the lower housing 310, which varieswith a capacity of the steam generator, or a size of the water container300.

In the embodiment, the indicator includes a transparent part 360 of thewater container 300 so that the water level is seen through thetransparent part 360.

The transparent part 360 may be formed in a height direction of thewater container 300, i.e., the lower housing 310 at a side thereof. Itis preferable that the transparent part 360 is formed of a transparentmaterial. Then, when the user supplies water to the lower housing 310,the user can make easy notice of the water level being filled in thelower housing 310 with the transparent part 360. More preferably, thetransparent part 360 may further include a color varying material thatvaries a color thereof with a temperature. Then, since the color varyingmaterial varies a color thereof with a temperature of the water as thewater is being filled in the lower housing 310, the user can make easynotice of the water level being filled in the lower housing 310.

It is preferable that the water container 300 further include anindicating line 361 that indicates the water is filled up to theappropriate water level of the lower housing 310 at the time the watersupplied to the water container 300. In this instance, the appropriatewater level is a water level when an appropriate amount of water thatcan be held in the lower housing 310, i.e., an appropriate amount, isfilled, which can vary with the capacity of the steam generator, or thesize of the water container 300. According to this, when the water issupplied to the water container 300, the user can control such that theappropriate amount of water is supplied to the lower housing 310 bymeans of the transparent part 360 and the indicating line 361. Theindicating line 361 may be formed on the transparent part 360 or on thelower housing 360 in the vicinity of the transparent part 360.Preferably, the indicating line 361 may include a plurality of gradationlines for indicating, not only the appropriate water level of the lowerhousing 310, but also indicating the water level in detail.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 illustrates a section across aline II-II in FIG. 6, showing the water filled up to the appropriatelevel of the lower housing 310, schematically. Since the water container300 of the second embodiment is different from the foregoing embodimentonly in the transparent part 360, reference numerals and description ofthe second embodiment on portions other than the indicator 360 will bethe same with the foregoing embodiment.

The transparent part 360 of the embodiment is formed on one side of anupper surface of the water container 300, i.e., one side of an uppersurface of the upper housing 320. It is preferable that the transparentpart 360 is formed of a transparent material. Then, the user can makeeasy notice of the water level being filled in the lower housing 310.Particularly, in general, the user supplies the water to the watercontainer 300, standing on a floor, when the user can make easy noticeof the water level being filled in the water container 300 even in thestanding state as the transparent part 360 is formed in the uppersurface of the water container 300. That is, if the transparent part 360is formed at the side of the water container 300 the same as theembodiment shown in FIG. 5, though there is inconvenience of the user tobend body to notice the water level, the embodiment enables the user tonotice the water level being filled in the water container 300 even inthe standing state.

Preferably, the transparent part 360 may be recessed. More preferably,the transparent part 360 may be recessed such that a width thereofbecomes the smaller as the recess goes the deeper. Then, the user canmake easier notice of the water level being filled in the watercontainer 300 in the standing state. That is, if the transparent part360 is recessed down with a fixed width, the user can not make easynotice of the water level when the user looks down the transparent part360 right over the transparent part 360. But, if the width of the watercontainer 300 becomes the smaller as shown in FIG. 7, the user can makeeasy notice of the water level when the user looks down the transparentpart 360 right over the transparent part 360. In this instance, theindicating line 361 that indicates the appropriate water level of thelower housing 310 can be formed around the transparent part 360.

It is preferable that the transparent part 360 further includes a colorvarying member that varies a color with a temperature. Then, since thecolor varying member varies a color thereof with a temperature of thewater as the water is being filled in the lower housing 310, the usercan make easy notice of the water level being filled in the lowerhousing 310. In this instance, the color varying member may furtherincluded only to a bottom surface of the lower housing 310. In thiscase, it is preferable that the indicator 363 is recessed down to theappropriate water level of the lower housing 310. Then, if the water isfilled to the appropriate water level of the lower housing 310, fillingup the water to the bottom surface of the lower housing, the color ofthe color varying member can be varied. Accordingly, by noticing thevaried color of the color varying member, the user can make easy noticeof the water filled up to the appropriate water level of the lowerhousing 310. In this case, formation of the indicating line 361 is notrequired, as the color varying member serves as the indicating line 361.

FIGS. 8 to 10 each illustrates a diagram of a third embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 8 illustrates a state the wateris not filled up to the appropriate water level of the water containerschematically, FIG. 9 illustrates a state the water is filled up to theappropriate water level of the water container schematically, and FIG.10 illustrates a circuit diagram of a sensor, schematically. Since thewater container 300 of the third embodiment is different from theforegoing embodiment only in that the sensor 370 is provided instead ofthe transparent part 360 in the first and second embodiment, referencenumerals and description of the first and second embodiment on portionsother than the transparent part 360 will be the same with the secondembodiment.

The indicator of the embodiment includes a sensor 370 for sensing thewater level of the lower housing 310. The sensor 370 includes a powersource unit 371 provided to a predetermined location of the lowerhousing 310, and a first electrode 372 and a second electrode 373connected to the power source unit 371. It is preferable that the firstelectrode 372 and the second electrode 373 is spaced from each othersuch that the first electrode 372 and the second electrode 373 areconnected to the water located to water levels of the lower housing 310different from each other.

In the embodiment, the first electrode 372 is connected to the waterlocated at a higher water level than the second electrode 373. Ofcourse, the second electrode 373 may be connected to the water locatedat a higher water level than the first electrode 372. Then, as shown inFIG. 9, if the water filled in the lower housing 310 reaches to thewater level connected to the first electrode 372, a minute current flowsbetween the first electrode 372 and the second electrode 373 through thewater filled in the lower housing 310, to make the sensor 370 inconduction.

It is preferable that the indicator of the embodiment further includes asignal creating part 374 for creating a predetermined signal once thesensor 370 becomes in conduction. As shown in FIG. 10, if the waterlevel of the water held in the lower housing 310 reaches to the waterlevel, the current flows to the signal creating part 374 as the firstelectrode 372 and the second electrode 373 are in conduction, andaccording to this, the signal creating part 374 can create apredetermined signal.

According to this, if the water being filled in the lower housing 310reaches to the water level connected to the first electrode 372, theuser can make easy notice of the signal from the signal creating part374.

Preferably, the first electrode 372 may be mounted so as to be connectedto the water located at the appropriate water level of the lower housing310, and the second electrode 373 may be mounted so as to be connectedto the water located under the appropriate water level. Then, when thewater is supplied to the lower housing 310, the user can make easynotice of the water being filled to the appropriate water level of thelower housing 310 by means of the signal creating part 374.

Accordingly, it is convenient as the user supplies the water to thelower housing 310 no more with reference to the signal from the signalcreating part 374 in the middle of supply of the water to the lowerhousing 310. It is preferable that the signal creating part 374 createsa signal of sound or a light so that the user can notice easily.

The first electrode 372 and the second electrode 372 may be mounted soto be spaced from each other and connected to the water located at thesame water level of the lower housing 310. In this case, if the water isfilled in the lower housing 310 up to a water level connected to thefirst electrode 372 and the second electrode 373, the first electrode372 and the second electrode 373 can be in conduction with each other.It is preferable that the first electrode 372 and the second electrode373 are mounted so as to be connected to the water located to theappropriate water level of the lower housing 310.

FIGS. 11 and 12 each illustrates a diagram of a fourth embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 11 illustrates a perspectiveview of the water container, and FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram ofthe embodiment. Since the steam dryer of the fourth embodiment isdifferent from the foregoing embodiment only in the sensor 370,reference numerals and description of the fourth embodiment on portionsother than the sensor 370 will be the same with the foregoingembodiment.

The sensor 370 of the embodiment may include a first electrode 375 and asecond electrode 376 mounted to one side of the lower housing 310 so asto be connected to the power source unit (not shown) of the steam dryerwhen the water container 300 is mounted to the steam dryer. That is, theembodiment can have a simpler water container structure in that thepower source unit 371 shown in FIG. 8 is not included, but the powersource unit (not shown) of the steam dryer is used.

The first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 may be mounted soas to be spaced from each other and connected to the water located atthe same water level, or different water levels of the lower housing310. It is preferable that the water level is below the appropriatewater level of the lower housing 310. Then, if the cartridge 300 ismounted to the steam generator body after the water is filled up to theappropriate water level of the lower housing 310, connecting the firstelectrode 375 and the second electrode 376 to the power source unit (notshown) of the steam generator body, the first electrode 375 and thesecond electrode 376 can be in conduction with each other, making thesensor 370 in conduction. Thereafter, if the water level of the lowerhousing 300 drops down below the water level where the first electrode375 or the second electrode 376 is connected thereto, the firstelectrode 375 and the second electrode 376 will be in conduction witheach other no more, making the sensor 370 in conduction no more.

Preferably, a signal creating part 377 can further be included, whichcreates a predetermined signal if the sensor 370 is in conduction nomore. It is preferable that this is carried out by a controller 378 inthe steam dryer. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, it can be made possibleby making the controller 378 of the steam dryer to sense the sensor 370not in conduction no more, and to make the signal creating part 377 tocreate the predetermined signal, if the sensor 370 is in conduction nomore. Then, the user can make easy notice of the water level in thelower housing 310 reaches up to the water level connected to the firstelectrode 375 or the second electrode 376 during operation of the steamdryer. It is preferable that the signal creating part 377 creates asignal of sound or a light so that the user can notice easily.

It is preferable that both of the first electrode 375 and the secondelectrode 376 are mounted so as to be connected to the water at aninsufficient water level, or at least one of the first electrode 375 andthe second electrode 376 is mounted so as to be connected to the waterat the insufficient water level. Then, the user can notice that thewater held in the lower housing 310 drops to the insufficient waterlevel by means of the signal creating part 377 during operation of thesteam dryer easily, and supply the water to the lower housing 310accordingly.

In this instance, the insufficient water level is a water level at whichthe water held in the lower housing 310 is in shortage, and can varywith a capacity of the steam dryer, or a size of the water container300, or design at the time of manufacture. Preferably, the insufficientwater level may be set as a predetermined height from a bottom surfaceof the lower housing 310. Then, the user can notice that the water is inshortage before the water level of the water in the lower housing 310drops down to the bottom surface, and supply the water to the watercontainer 300. It is preferable that the signal creating part 377 keepscreating the signal until the user separates the water container 300 forsupplying the water to the lower housing 310, or creates the signalperiodically for a predetermined time period.

FIG. 13 illustrates a diagram of a fifth embodiment of the watercontainer in FIG. 4. Since the water container 300 of the fifthembodiment is different from the foregoing embodiment only in that thesensor 370 of the fifth embodiment further includes a first stick 381and a second stick 382, reference numerals and description of the fifthembodiment on portions other than the first stick 381 and the secondstick 382 will be the same with the foregoing embodiment.

The sensor 370 of the embodiment may further include the first stick 381connected to the first electrode 375 and the second stick 382 connectedto the second electrode 376. The first stick 381 has a length enough toreach to the insufficient water level of the lower housing 310 from theupper housing 320 and is secured to the upper housing 320, and thesecond stick 382 has a length longer than the first stick 381, and issecured to the upper housing 320.

Then, if the water level of the water in the lower housing 310 is higherthan the insufficient water level, the first stick 381 and the secondstick 382 become in conduction with each other by the water, to let thefirst electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 in conduction. As shownin FIG. 13, if the water level is lower than the insufficient waterlevel, to let the first stick 381 and the second stick 392 not inconduction, the first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 are notin conduction, leading the signal creating part 377 to create the signalfor the user to notice.

The embodiment has an advantage in that mounting locations of the firstelectrode 375 and the second electrode 376 are restricted less thanbefore by the inclusion of the first stick 381 and the second stick 382.That is, the first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 can bemounted to an upper portion or a lower portion of the lower housing 310because the first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 can work asfar as the first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 areconductive with the first stick 381 and the second stick 382 elongatedin the height direction of the lower housing 310. This is convenientwhen the first electrode 375 and the second electrode 376 are connectedto the power source of the steam dryer body when the water container ismounted to the steam dryer body.

FIGS. 14 and 15 each illustrates a diagram of a sixth embodiment of thewater container in FIG. 4, wherein FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram showingthe water is not filled to the appropriate water level of the watercontainer schematically, and FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram showing thewater is filled to the appropriate water level of the water containerschematically. Since the steam dryer of the sixth embodiment isdifferent from the foregoing embodiment only in that the indicatorincludes a closing member to close the supply hole 321 instead of thetransparent part of the first embodiment, reference numerals anddescription of the sixth embodiment on portions other than the closingmember will be the same with the first embodiment.

The indicator of the embodiment includes a closing member that closesthe supply hole 321. Then, the user can make easy filling of the waterup to the appropriate water level.

It is preferable that the closing member is a movable member 390 thatmoves with the water level of the water being filled in the lowerhousing 310. Then, as the movable member 390 moves along with the waterlevel being filled in the lower housing 310, the movable member 390 canclose the supply hole 321 easily. More preferably, the movable member390 may be constructed of a material that can float on the water. For anexample, the movable member 390 may be constructed of a predeterminedbuoy. According to this, as the water is filled in the lower housing310, the movable member 390 moves upward following the water level ofthe water being filled in the lower housing 310. Opposite to this, ifthe water is reduced in the lower housing 310, the movable member 390moves down.

It is preferable that the steam dryer further includes a guide portion391 for guiding the movement of the movable member 390. The guideportion 391 has one side secured to an underside of the upper housing320, and the other side connected to the movable member 390. The guideportion 391 is rotatable by a predetermined angle following up/downmovement of the movable member 390, so that the movable member 390 movesin up/down direction following the movement of the guide portion 391 asthe water is filled in the lower housing 310.

Referring to FIG. 15, preferably, the guide portion 391 may beconstructed such that the movable member 390 closes the supply hole 321if the water is filled up to the appropriate level 392 of the lowerhousing 310. Then, it is very convenient as, when the user supplies thewater to the lower housing 310, the water is filled in the lower housing310 no more automatically once the water is filled up to the appropriatelevel 392 of the lower housing 310.

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram of a seventh embodiment of the watercontainer in FIG. 4, showing the water filled up to the appropriatelevel of the water container. Since the steam dryer of the seventhembodiment is different from the foregoing embodiment only in the guideportion 391, reference numerals and description of the seventhembodiment on portions other than the guide portion 391 will be the samewith the foregoing embodiment.

The steam dryer of the embodiment may include a guide portion 391 fixedin a height direction in the lower housing 310 with the movable member390 placed therein. It is preferable that the guide portion 391 has aplurality of openings 393 for inflow of the water. Then, as the water isfilled in the lower housing 310, the water can flow into the guideportion 391. According to this, as the water is filled in the lowerhousing 310, the movable member 390 in the guide portion may move inup/down directions.

Preferably, the guide portion 391 may be mounted such that the movablemember 390 moves in the up/down directions under the supply hole 321.Then, if the water is filled up to the appropriate level 392 of thelower housing 310, the movable member 390 closes the supply hole 321,preventing the water from flowing into the lower housing 310 no more.According to this, it is very convenient because, when the user supplieswater to the lower housing 310, the water is not filled in the lowerhousing 310 once the water is filled up to the appropriate water level392 of the lower housing 310.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As has been described, the present invention has the followingadvantages.

First, the washing machine of the present invention prevents crumples orcreases from forming on, or removes the same from a dried drying objecteffectively, and sterilizes the drying object or remove odor from thedrying object.

Second, the washing machine of the present invention can remove crumplesor creases from dried clothes without separate pressing effectively.

Third, the washing machine of the present invention permits, not onlyeasy supply of water to the waster holding unit, but also easy cleaningof the water container. Moreover, the washing machine of the presentinvention permits easy notice of the water level held in the watercontainer during water supply or operation of the washing machine.

1. A laundry machine comprising: a drum to be selectively rotatable; asteam generator to generate steam to be supplied to the drum; a watercontainer to contain water to be supplied to the steam generator; and anindicator to indicate a level of the water in the water container. 2.The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicatorincludes a transparent part of the water container so that the waterlevel is seen through the transparent part.
 3. The laundry machine asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent part is located at a top ofthe water container.
 4. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 2,wherein the indicator includes a color varying member a color of whichvaries according to temperature.
 5. The laundry machine as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the indicator is located at a side of the watercontainer.
 6. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein thetransparent part is configured to be recessed down such that the furtherdown, a width thereof becomes the smaller.
 7. The laundry machine asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the indicator includes a color varyingmember located at a bottom of the transparent part, a color of the colorvarying member varies according to temperature.
 8. The laundry machineas claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicator includes a sensor to sensethe water level.
 9. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 8, whereinthe indicator further includes a signal creating part to create a signalas the sensor senses a predetermined water level.
 10. The laundrymachine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensor includes a firstelectrode and a second electrode, and senses the water level as theelectrodes are electrically connected by water.
 11. The laundry machineas claimed in claim 10, further comprises a separate power sourceprovided to the water container to supply electrical power to theindicator.
 12. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein theindicator is connected to a power source of the laundry machine.
 13. Thelaundry machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first electrode andthe second electrode are spaced from each other and mounted so as to beconnected to the water located at the same water level of the watercontainer.
 14. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein thefirst electrode and the second electrode are spaced from each other andmounted so as to be connected to the water located at different waterlevels of the water container.
 15. The laundry machine as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the water container includes a supply hole throughwhich water is supplied, and wherein the indicator includes a closingmember to close the supply hole when the water in the water containerreaches a predetermined water level.
 16. The laundry machine as claimedin claim 15, wherein the closing member includes a movable member tomove as the water reaches the predetermined water level.
 17. The laundrymachine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the movable member includes amember floatable on the water.
 18. The laundry machine as claimed inclaim 17, further comprising a guide portion to guide the movable memberto close the supply hole.
 19. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 1,wherein the water container is detachable.